Contents

Structure

The complex -- the largest of the Academy -- was located on the northern side of the Tier Breche cavern and was shaped like a spider. The "cephalothorax" of the spider housed the grandest chapels, the holiest altars, and the quarters of the senior priestesses.[4] The crowning gem of the complex was a the main chapel, carved from a single mass of black stone. Inside, seats surrounded circular platform, statue of spider with the head of drow female.[5]

The Mistress of the academy had an office on the highest level that had a tapestry of Lolth looming over a sacrificed surface elf.[3] The Mistress also wore a brooch that allowed her to unlock all doors in Arach-Tinilith.[6]

There were kitchens located in the lower levels, which seemed like dungeons. Slaves, such as the ogre slave Chirank in 1361 DR, were employed there.[7]

History

As with Menzoberranzan and the Academy, little was known about Arach-Tinilith's origins except it was ancient, probably starting soon after Menzoberranzan was formed. What is known, or at least speculated, is that Arach-Tinilith was formed with the rest of the Academy as a sort of general civil service for Menzoberranzan. Since the individual houses rarely did anything that does not in some way benefit them, it was commonly thought that a group of long-dead matron mothers banded together to form the Academy as a city guard, city executioner, and training center for all future fighters, wizards, and clerics.[citation needed]

In 1372 DR, the Mistress of Arach-Tinilith, Quenthel Baenre, was attacked at the school by a number of demons intending to assassinate her. A number of novice priestesses and even instructors led by Drisinil Armgo believed that Quenthel had lost he favor of Lolth, and thus they planned to murder her. Quenthel discovered their plot and summoned hordes of spiders to kill them and demonstrate that she was in her goddess's favor (although that was during the Silence of Lolth).[9] In truth, unbeknownst to her, the demons had been sent by her brother, Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan.

Priestesses received training in weapon combat from older students of Melee-Magthere.[12]

Inhabitants

All female, the priestesses of Lolth went to Arach-Tinilith after being trained by their houses in the basics of worship of the Spider Queen. This usually happened around the age of 40, and they were to spend 50 years studying under the tutelage of the mistresses there.[13] By 1361 DR, it appeared priestesses were expected to enter Arach-Tinilith by age 25.[14]

Priestesses helped fulfill the duty of Arach-Tinilith and the Academy by enacting healing spells, serving as part of the guard of Menzoberranzan, praying to Lolth to keep the city in her favor, and providing religious instruction to other students of the Academy.[citation needed]